AUTHORS, actors, poets and playwrights warned council bosses that North libraries must remain open.

Award-winning crime writers Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves were joined by other famous faces, including Emmerdale star Charlie Hardwick, to stage a mass protest over council plans to close libraries in some of Newcastle’s most deprived areas.

Writer Ann Cleeves, who was behind the hit TV show Vera, joined protestors at Cruddas Park library yesterday to show her support on National Libraries’ Day.

The best-selling author, who read an extract from her new book Dead Water for the first time, said: “This place is buzzing. How could anybody want to close this? Especially in Cruddas Park, where many people haven’t got computers at home and they can’t afford books.

“The council will say it’s only a mile and a half into the city centre but for disabled people and kids, that’s a long way to go.”

Award-winning author Val McDermid, who wrote the popular series on which the ITV series Wire In The Blood was based, said: “I wouldn’t be a writer today if it wasn’t for the public library system.

“I grew up in a small town in Scotland in a family that was very much working class and books weren’t something we had.

“To me, it’s nothing short of criminal to close a library in an area like this.

“In areas of social deprivation, libraries become much more important. This is a place where people come to use the computers and read books. Some people don’t have that at home.

“What are we leaving the people of this area if we take that away? It’s a lifeline for them.”

She said: “We come here everyday. I use the computers to look for jobs and Katie does her homework. I don’t know what we would do if it closes.”

Newcastle City Council will announce its final decision on the future of libraries on March 6.

Tony Durcan, director of libraries and lifelong learning at the council, said: “Many of our libraries will remain open, operating in the same building as other shared community services, like customer service centres and shared housing schemes, and we hope others will stay open through the support and goodwill of local residents.”